According to the DOT, Southwest ran ads last October in the Atlanta area offering travelers $59 fares to New York, Los Angeles and Chicago on certain dates. Closer inspection by DOT officials found Southwest had no available seats at that price to any of the three cities on the advertised dates, prompting a $200,000 fine for failing to disclose the full price travelers would have to pay to get aboard those flights.

The DOT said it tacked another $100,000 onto the ticket because Southwest ignored a cease and desist order it issued against it for breaking the same full-fare advertising rule back in July 2013.

To make sure it doesn’t happen a third time, DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx issued the following statement: “DOT’s full-fare advertising rules were put into place to ensure that consumers are not deceived when they search for plane tickets. Consumers have rights, and DOT will continue to take enforcement action against carriers and ticket agents when our price advertising rules are violated.”

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